McLean, VA - (September 2004) - Consumer Health Information Corporation won the Gold for the 2004 National Health Information Awards for their Fujisawa Transplant Mentor Program. This is the second year in a row that Consumer Health has won this sought after award. The annual program recognizes the nation's best consumer health information programs and materials.

Sharing Your Experiences: Transplant Mentor Program was chosen from over 1100 entries. "This unique multi-component program developed for Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc., trains volunteers to become Mentors for transplant patients, transplant families and living donors," said Dorothy L. Smith, Pharm.D., president of Consumer Health Information Corporation. "It is the first patient education training program of its kind used in hospital transplant centers in the United States and consists of an integrated training program for both mentors and their mentees." Consumer Health Information Corporation won a 2003 Gold Award for Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc.'s Transplant Journal: Starting Your New Life.

"We are very excited the Transplant Mentor Program has been recognized by our peers as the leader among 1100 entries," said Sue Ellen Knutson, R.Ph., director of consumer marketing, Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc. "Consumer Health Information Corporation's work has resulted in a successful multi-component patient education program used in hospitals and transplant facilities."

According to Knutson, "Fujisawa Healthcare's Consumer Marketing Team developed the patient mentoring program to facilitate communication and support for pre and post-transplant patients and their families. Patients who have 'been there' are paired up with patients going through the transplant process." She said, "They provide a level of support that saves staff time and improves treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. Transplant centers that have participated in this mentor training program find it of tremendous value and usually continue the training sessions on an on-going basis. Fujisawa is committed to improving patient care, supporting transplant centers in unique ways, and strengthening our relationship with patients and transplant centers."

The awards program is coordinated by the Health Information Resource Center, a national clearing-house for consumer health information programs and materials. The Center, which houses a large collection of such public and private sector materials, promotes the distribution of accurate, timely consumer health information materials to professionals and managers in the field.

Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc.
Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc., headquartered in Deerfield, Ill., develops, manufactures, and markets proprietary pharmaceutical products in the United States and abroad. Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc. is a subsidiary of Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. based in Osaka, Japan. Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., founded in 1894, is a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer with a major presence in the global market. Additional information on Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc. and its products can be found on the Internet at http://www.fujisawa.com. On April 1, 2005, Astellas Pharma Inc. will be created by the merger of Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (subject to regulatory clearances).

Consumer Health Information Corporation
Consumer Health Information Corporation (www.consumer-health.com) is internationally recognized for its innovative patient information and patient compliance programs. The company develops patient education and consumer awareness programs on medication use and disease management. They have produced a broad range of award-winning print and audiovisual programs that have helped millions of people learn to make wise decisions about their health and medications. Clients include pharmaceutical companies, consumer organizations and Fortune 500 companies, national health care and professional associations, managed care organizations, insurance companies, and pharmacies. The company is a teaching site for several schools of pharmacy across the United States and a member of the Board of Directors of the National Council on Patient Information and Education.

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